How do new mums in QLD feel about their health after giving birth?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-10-08 05:00

Australia; QLD

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An Australian study of 134 new mums in Queensland found most women felt their health-related quality of life improved over the first six weeks after giving birth, with the biggest improvement reported between one and two weeks. The women were asked to rate their health based on five domains; mobility; personal care; ability to engage in usual activities; pain and discomfort; and anxiety and depression. Their scores for each domain were then combined to give an overall measure of health-related quality of life.  As well as general improvements in the period after giving birth, the team found women who carried their babies to full term reported better health-related quality of life than those whose babies were born earlier.  The authors add that there didn't appear to be any major differences between women from different backgrounds. The findings could be used to improve maternity services, which should take time since birth and gestational age of the woman’s baby into account when assessing new mums' health, the authors conclude.